Echocardiography and other ultrasound procedures

[Tina]

Ultrasonography uses high-frequency (ultrasound) waves bounced off internal structures to produce a moving image. It uses no x-rays. Ultrasonography of the heart (echocardiography) is one of the most widely used procedures for diagnosing heart disorders because it provides excellent images and is

Noninvasive
Harmless
Relatively inexpensive
Widely available

Ultrasonography is also used in the diagnosis of disorders affecting blood vessels in other parts of the body.
Echocardiography can be used to detect whether the heart muscle is moving normally and how much blood the heart is pumping out with each beat. This procedure can also detect abnormalities in the heart